Sometimes gardeners forget that not everyone speaks our language. We talk about sandy loam soil, clay soil, sand, and silt as if everyone knew exactly what those were. Well, not all gardeners know, and nongardeners, or beginners, certainly do not know all the terms for soil. I can help with that.
Types of Soil Particles
About ninety percent of soil is made up of rocks of different sizes. These sizes are sand, silt, and clay. About ten percent of soil is made up of organic matter. This is what supports life. The rock determines how the soil drains the water, how much air is in the soil, and how easy it is to dig.
Clay
Clay contains the smallest particles. They hug each other close and do not easily let water or air through. On the plus side, clay holds in nutrients and water. Plants can drown, though, because the water pools and air cannot get into the roots. In hot climates, the clay may bake and become cement, killing the plants.
Silt
Silt is a particle between sand and clay. It drains well but holds nutrients better than sand. Pure silt is very rare but is also very fertile. Rivers deposit silt when they flood the bottomlands, which is one of the reasons those lands are so fertile.
Sand
Sand is the largest particle in soil. It drains well and has lots of spaces between it for air. The downside is that it drains too well and nutrients and water just run through, leaving plants thirst and starved for nutrients.
Ideal Soil
The ideal soil is a balance of sand, silt, and clay. It is called sandy loam and is the Holy Grail of soil. This drains properly, but not too well. It holds nutrients and allows air to circulate. It is usually found near rivers, or where rivers used to be. Not too many people are blessed to have this type of soil.
What Soil Type Do You Have?
You can find out exactly what soil type you have by getting a soil test. Every state has a soil lab that will test your soil and tell you not only your soil type but what it needs to grow great vegetables. In Texas, the soil lab is at Texas A&M. The basic test measures the major nutrients and comes with fertilizer recommendations. In 2022, it is $12. The test that includes soil type is $46, a little pricy. However, you only need that test once.
Improving Your Soil
Soil can be improved by the addition of organic matter. This is why compost is added — to make clay soils drain better and to help sand hold moisture. Compost adds nutrients and helps add air pockets in clay soils. You may not be blessed with sandy loam, but you can improve your soil and grow wonderful vegetables with a little work.
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Mostly peoples are not know that seventy percent of soil is made up of rock of different sizes. The type of soil varies from place to place on our planet and can even vary from one place to another in your own backyard.
This is a really great explanation. I run a landscaping business in San Diego and customers are always asking me about how to enhance their soil, if they should use gypsum, sand, etc. This is a perfect place to send them for the basics of soil. Thanks very much for sharing.
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